Hogan Technicians Put Their Skills to the Test at Annual Competition

Fifteen technicians from 12 Hogan locations gathered in Atlanta for hands-on competition, advanced training and a chance to demonstrate the expertise that keeps Hogan moving.

15 of Hogan’s top technicians traveled from 12 locations across the country to Atlanta for the annual Hogan Top Technician Competition. The event brought together talented maintenance professionals for a full day of written testing, hands-on technical challenges, instructor-led training and friendly competition.

One of the many reasons the top tech competition exists is to help identify which technicians may represent Hogan at the TMC SuperTech National Technician Competition, as well as creating an opportunity for participants to sharpen their skills, learn from one another, and carry new knowledge back to their home shops.

Participants are primarily selected by their regional managers based on performance, enthusiasm for professional development, ASE certification level and results from Hogan’s annual Technician Knowledge Challenge. That written exam, held each February, contributes to each technician’s final competition score and may be used as a tiebreaker later in the competition if needed.

A full day of technical challenges

The competition began early at 7 a.m. and continued throughout the day. Technicians rotated through 20 timed stations covering a wide range of maintenance disciplines. At each station, coaches and judges are available to guide participants, evaluate their work and support the learning experience.

This year’s competition introduced several new stations, including Preventive Maintenance Inspection, Liftgates, Trailer ABS, EV Safety and 24-Volt Systems. The 24-volt training is especially timely. As some truck manufacturers begin moving toward equipment that differs from the 12-volt systems that technicians are more accustomed to servicing.

Holding the event on Sunday allowed Hogan to use the Atlanta shop while limiting disruption to normal operations and protecting service to customers.

2026 overall winners

All three overall winners are ASE World Class Technicians, a distinction that requires 22 specific ASE certifications across Medium/Heavy Truck, Automotive, Collision Repair and Advanced Level Specialist areas. Fewer than 2,500 technicians have earned the recognition since 1986, and typically fewer than 50 achieve it in a given year. Climes, McAllister and Walcott have each previously competed in both Hogan Top Technician and National SuperTech competitions. We are so proud of them and grateful to have them on the Hogan team!

From competitors to mentors

One of the most meaningful moments of the weekend was seeing Carl Diehl and Alex Naranovich return to the competition—not as competitors, but as judges and mentors. Both technicians represented Hogan at the TMC SuperTech National Technician Competition in 2022, and their return reflects the kind of growth and leadership the Hogan Top Technician Competition is designed to inspire. This year, Naranovich, manager of Hogan’s Springfield shop, judged the Trailer ABS station, while Diehl judged Preventive Maintenance Inspection. Diehl has also earned another trip to National SuperTech after winning both the Ohio State Technician Competition and the NationaLease competition—an exceptional achievement in an industry where the nation’s most skilled technicians compete at the highest level. Their transition from competitors to respected judges is a powerful example of how technical excellence, continued development and knowledge-sharing strengthen the entire profession.

“Iron sharpens iron”

“The Top Tech competition is an opportunity for technicians to not only showcase their knowledge, but share their knowledge with one another, making everyone better in the process.”

Matt Starkey, Hogan’s Vice President of Maintenance, often describes the spirit of the event with the phrase, “Iron sharpens iron.” The competition challenges strong, like-minded professionals to push one another, improve their abilities and become more effective. The relationships formed through friendly competition continue long after the technicians leave Atlanta, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Hogan’s maintenance network.

A companywide effort

The Hogan Top Technician Competition is spearheaded by Mike Gavrielides, Manager of Training, Warranty and Technical Services, and Rick Davis, Director of Maintenance over Training, Warranty and Technical Services. Hogan’s Technical Services team plays a major role in developing and judging stations, with additional support this year from Warranty, Parts, Safety, IT, Marketing, regional maintenance managers and a shop manager.

Vendor partners also gave their time, expertise and resources to support the event. International, Truck Centers, Purkeys, Michelin, Maxon Liftgates, Diesel Laptops, Bendix, Noregon, Delco Remy, Chevron and ConMet assisted with judging and station support. Cummins and Eaton developed stations but were unable to attend. Bendix, DTNA Parts, International and Truck Centers sponsored dinners, while Cummins, Imperial, Michelin, Truck Centers, Purkeys, Phillips and other partners contributed tools, gifts and prizes.

The awards ceremony was held Monday evening, recognizing both the overall winners and the top performer at each technical station. Hogan extends its appreciation to every technician, judge, coordinator, volunteer and vendor partner who gave up part of the weekend to make the event possible.

Watch a highlight reel of the competition: